Someone has been leaking detailed information on what happened in the CPC’s Ontario caucus earlier this week. Leaks include the text of a motion that I (purportedly) presented, and details as to who voted for and against it. 1/9
Leaks started early. Here’s a text I got Tuesday afternoon, from a Torstar reporter: “I understand Ontario caucus is meeting right now to discuss whether or not to recommend Derek Sloan be removed from caucus.” 2/9
I got this text Wednesday (CBC this time): “I've heard that you were the source of the motion to press Mr. Sloan to apologize. I'd like to know more about why you chose to pursue that course of action. Could you please give me a call” 3/9
So: Multiple leaks on multiple days to multiple media outlets. I responded to Torstar & CBC in the only way that is acceptable: I ghosted them. Not even a courtesy response declining the proffered interviews. 4/9
Only MPs attended the mtg. So there are two ways this information could have leaked: 1. An MP leaked directly to media; 2. An MP told a Leadership Campaign team, which decided that a leak could help their guy win, and therefore contacted media. 5/9
Forcing Sloan out of Caucus means he’s out of the leadership race. But since he won’t win anyway, why bother? Answer: A finalist who can’t capture the 2nd-ballot support of Sloan voters benefits if there are no 1st-ballot Sloan votes. 6/9
Under the CPC’s preferential ballot system, the 2nd-ballot preferences of Sloan supporters could determine who becomes our next leader. Someone wants to get rid of him. Thus, even if we don’t know who leaked, we do know why, and for whose benefit. 7/9
Nobody suffers from the illusion that I am a Sloan supporter. After all, it was (purportedly) my motion, demanding the retraction of his rhetoric that was leaked. But whether we like the form of his retraction or not, he has retracted. The bigger issue is the leak itself. 8/9
If an MP leaked this, then that MP---not Derek Sloan--should be the one facing expulsion. And if a leadership candidate authorized his team to make the leak, then he should be reconsidering whether he is fit to lead the party. 9/9
